noffsinger Chapter 158: Taking the Bridge by Strategy
Chapter 158: Taking the Bridge by Strategy
Qin Shi had just earnestly urged Wei Wei to rest more, only to be met with a barrage of criticism. His pent-up anger was like a lit powder keg, and he was just about to find a way to vent it. Tang Xuesi's answer was so unsatisfactory that he immediately flew into a rage and roared, "We must defend this place even if we can't! Even if the entire First Team dies heroically, we must hold on to it!"
The atmosphere instantly became tense. Tang Xuesi had been with Qin Shi for so long, someone Qin Shi had nurtured, but this was the first time he'd seen him so furious. His face instantly turned pale, and for a moment, he didn't know how to respond. Zhou Hu, seeing this, had no choice but to bite the bullet and say, "The most important thing right now is how to capture the bridge. In my opinion, we can reinforce the First Detachment with a direct artillery battalion and bring more mortars."
After Qin Shi vented his anger, he realized that it was a bit inexplicable for him to vent his anger on Tang Xuesi. His anger subsided and his heart gradually calmed down. After listening to Zhou Hu's words, he thought carefully and added: "Transfer the guard company of the headquarters and bring all the bazookas that can be mustered."
Qin Shi walked up to Tang Xuesi, looked at him with a look of disappointment, and said, "Remember, I only want the bridge, not the casualties."
Tang Xuesi finally understood and nodded solemnly to Qin Shi. Qin Shi patted his shoulder firmly and said softly, "You are the captain and commander now. Don't always rush to the forefront and act so impulsively."
"Warfare requires brains. You can't just fight recklessly. If necessary, launch a counterattack. You might get unexpected rewards."
Zhou Hu took over the conversation again: "Do you want to request support from the US Air Force?"
Qin Shi said, "You go and arrange this. By the way, inform Commander Luo (Luo Bing) that the Second Column must assist in cutting off enemy reinforcements along the Northeast Burma Highway if necessary."
Liao Yaoxiang had already received a detailed report from Qin Shi and his team. According to the operational plan, Qin Shi's Burmese guerrillas would temporarily be placed under the unified command of Liao Yaoxiang's Indian Army. Deeply impressed by Qin Shi's extraordinary courage and sharp vision, Liao Yaoxiang sincerely lamented, "With such an outstanding group of brothers supporting him, it's hard not to see Huang Wei rise to prominence."
The Chief of Staff stepped forward, took the telegram, and read it carefully. He couldn't help but exclaim in amazement, "This Qin Shi is truly amazing! His move is perfectly timed and on target. Now, all units must exert their utmost strength to completely defeat the Japanese 18th Division in the shortest possible time!"
Liao Yaoxiang nodded slightly, agreeing with the Chief of Staff's point of view, and then gave him an order: "Immediately send a telegram to the US Air Force, demanding that they do their utmost to support the defense of Bamo Bridge."
After a brief pause, the Chief of Staff further suggested, "Should we send Bai Lang's airborne troops to reinforce Qin Shi?"
Liao Yaoxiang pondered for a moment, then remained silent before responding, "Well, we can consider doing so. After all, it's time for the joint airborne commando team formed by China and the United States to officially debut."
At night, 15 kilometers northwest of Bamocheng, a steel bridge stands tall across the precipitous gorge of the Irrawaddy River. It's a crucial point connecting Upper Burma and China, and the Myeik-La Highway passes through it, making it the most important bridge on the route. To protect the bridge from guerrillas, the Japanese army has stationed troops there since occupying northern Burma. Now, with the changing situation, the garrison has expanded to a security brigade of over 800 men.
Major Kimura Mitsuki, the battalion commander, was an old Japanese soldier. During the September 18th Incident, he was the squad leader who attacked the Northeast Army camp. Unfortunately, he was later forced to retire from active service after a leg was broken during the Battle of Shanghai. As the Japanese invasion continued to expand and the military was in short supply, Kimura got the opportunity to rejoin active service and was transferred to Burma with the Security Army.
It was late at night and still awake. He took out his rare sake and was drinking it happily. Just now, he had brutally bullied a Wa woman. The woman only put up a little resistance, and Kimura brutally killed her. This seemed to be very common to him. When he was in Northeast China, this old devil often did this. I don't know how many Northeast women had suffered such persecution.
Outside the stronghold where Kimura was stationed, many figures appeared at this moment. They were well-trained and approached the stronghold silently. All kinds of weapons were deployed. The commander looked at the luminous watch on his wrist and kept looking at the iron bridge dozens of meters high in the stronghold. A commando team was approaching. They had to eliminate the sentry at the bridgehead silently, cut off the fuse of the enemy's pre-buried explosives, and occupy the bridgehead position.
On the other side of the Irrawaddy River, the same force was doing the same thing. They needed to proceed simultaneously, taking down the Japanese defensive forces on both sides in one fell swoop, occupying the bridge, and then transforming their positions to prepare for the Japanese counterattack.
When the time came and the red flares on the other side had already been fired, the commander, without hesitation, immediately ordered the bombardment to begin. With a single "boom, boom, boom" thud, countless mortar shells flew out of the barrels, flying in curves and landing precisely on Japanese strongholds, artillery towers, and garrisons.
"Boom!" A shell blew up Kimura's office. Although Kimura was missing a leg, his years of combat experience allowed him to react immediately and he quickly hid under the desk. Then, a shell shot in from the window and exploded in the office where he had just sat.
After the smoke cleared, Kimura rushed out quickly. At this time, there were explosions everywhere in the stronghold and continuous gunfire from the outside. It was obviously not a small-scale sneak attack, but a large-scale attack.
"Enemy attack! Enemy attack!" Kimura drew his saber and roared tearfully. Several Japanese grassroots officers came up to him. Kimura urgently ordered these people to quickly organize various units to counterattack.
"Boom-boom--" A Japanese machine gun crew had just set up their machine gun and had not fired a few rounds when they were immediately hit by the precise attack of the mortar. The crew members and the Type 95 machine gun were destroyed together.
Several people in black rushed over, firing their Thomas, Sten and other submachine guns at the swaying figures of the Japanese soldiers. A soldier threw a grenade at an exposed enemy firing point.
"Boom--", the enemy fell from a high place with the explosion. A man in black stepped forward and shot the enemy dead, while the others bravely rushed towards the enemy.
On the bridge, several Japanese soldiers were resisting stubbornly. They were the patrol on the bridge. These enemies cleverly hid in the corners of the iron pillars on the bridge and kept shooting at the guerrillas who were rushing over. The guerrillas attacked many times, and more than 10 soldiers fell. More soldiers rushed over, and submachine guns and machine guns kept firing in an attempt to suppress the enemy's counterattack.